NEWS 3 Fracking outcry grows IN BRIEF WATTLE Range Council will be declared a “gasfield free” community at a special ceremony on May 24. While organisers are still finalising details, the declaration ceremony is scheduled to occur at Lake Leake. It will follow on from declarations in Robe District Council and Grant District Council through the Lock The Gate initiative. The process involves extensive surveying of landowners in the district to determine whether the majority are opposed to further gas projects in the region. Current exploratory works by Adelaide gas giant Beach Energy near Penola have triggered outcry from several community sectors concerned over potential impacts on groundwater, agriculture, and the landscape. Hitting back at criticism, the company has repeatedly defended its processes, claiming residents are being misinformed. Car break-in allegation ROAD AWARENESS: Road crash survivor Marcus Johnstone and Metropolitan Fire Service Road Awareness Program coordinator Joe Martin (right) discuss the consequences of inattentive driving with Millicent High School students Blake North, Jack Lane and Nic Copeland. Road safety reality check High school students shown impact of distracted driving “It has been 11 years since MUSTILLO RAQUEL journo1@setimes.com.au MOTORIST who hit a stobie pole and killed two teenage girls has made an urgent plea to Millicent High School students to be responsible on the road. Road crash survivor Marcus Johnstone shared his harrowing story about driving while texting with Year 11 students last week as part of the Metropolitan Fire Service Road Awareness Program. On the night of his 22nd birthday, Mr Johnstone took his eyes off the road to delete a text message and lost control of his vehicle. The 24-word message asking him if he fancied one of the girls sitting in the back seat cost the lives of two teenagers. “I was annoyed about a message one of the guys had written,” he said. “There were three girls reaching over me trying to grab the phone out of my hands and the bloke in the back was not helping the situation because he was LOOKING AFTER MATES: Year 11 students Tom Turner, Hannah Pretty and Chantelle Kelm pledged to always drive responsibly following the confronting program presentation last week. provoking the girls.” Johnstone was driving at between 90 and 100kph when he lost control on a sweeping corner and hit a stobie pole. The 24-word message cost the lives of two teenagers. “I single-handedly destroyed two families, as well as the entire community,” he said. “Not only did I kill two people, I traumatised the SES, police, fire fighters and ambulance personnel who attended the crash scene.” Mr Johnstone was found guilty of two counts of culpable driving and one of negligently causing serious injury. He was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison and was the first person to be charged in Victoria for being distracted by a mobile phone. The crash and time in prison took a heavy toll on Marcus. the accident and I think about it every day,” he said. “I battle with depression, I have anger issues and I’m completely withdrawn from society. “What seemed like a normal night resulted me in killing Emily and Stephanie. “Don’t text and drive and don’t tolerate your mates being distracted when they are driving.” Following Mr Johnstone’s presentation, short clips were shown featuring reenactments of car accidents caused by texting, bringing some students to tears. Program coordinator and firefighter Joe Martin said the confronting yet uplifting presentation empowered participants to save lives on the road. “The program reinforces that while we can choose to take a risk, we cannot choose its consequences,” he said. “It leaves students feeling empowered to make positive changes on the roads by committing to safe driving.” The program has been oper- ating in South Australia since 2005 and is delivered to 85pc of Year 11 students across the state. Ratepayers foot $10,000 bill for swimming lake vandalism “There are a number of other costs RAQUEL MUSTILLO VANDALISM at the Millicent Swimming Lake has left ratepayers with a repair bill estimated to cost thousands. Two separate incidents during the school holidays involved large sections of the safety fence at the lake, which is managed by Wattle Range Council, ripped out of the ground and thrown into the empty swimming area. Wattle Range Council engineering services director Peter Halton said vandals caused between $6000 and $10,000 damage to the fence. “That figure is to put it back to its current standard, but we are now looking at options to strengthen the joints to limit the potential for it to happen again,” he said. www.thesoutheasterntimes.com.au incurred and obviously there is a straight amenity issue as we have webbing we have to put out. “It also includes the call-out fees and from an ongoing view it has increased the cost of swimming lake maintenance. “As the damage happened in the holidays, we put some security in place for a couple of days, but unfortunately there was no information found from that. “What we have done is put some money into next year’s budget to put fixed surveillance at the venue.” Mr Halton said the council was “disappointed”. “There are obviously ongoing issues with some of the general behaviour at the lake,” he said. A MILLICENT woman has been arrested after allegedly breaking into a car on Saturday night. Police were called to a house in Walker Street at about 7.30pm after a witness saw their car being broken into. Patrols searched the area and located a woman nearby who matched the description of one of the suspects. A 36-year-old woman was subsequently charged with illegal interference with a motor vehicle and being unlawfully on premises. She was bailed to appear in the Millicent Magistrates Court on July 17. Enquiries continue regarding the second suspect and anyone with information that can assist police is asked to provide details online at sa.crimestoppers.com.au or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. Drug danger discussion THE dangers of “ice” and methamphetamines will be highlighted in a community forum in Millicent tomorrow night. Building on the success of an inaugural forum held in Mount Gambier earlier this year, the Understanding the Ice Factor information night will take place at the Millicent War Memorial Civic and Arts Centre from 7pm. Parents, youths and sporting clubs are all encouraged to attend the event, which is open to all the community. The forum is a joint initiative between the Rotary Club of Millicent, SAPOL, Wattle Range Council and community health services. STEEL, ROOFING AND FENCING SUPPLIES “There is a perception if this kind of behaviour continues we would have to question the viability of the area. “It would be a shame if we would be in a situation where council would struggle to manage these issues and we should not have to manage patrons getting unruly. “ Millicent police officer in charge Senior Sergeant Peter Brown urged members of the community to assist police in the ongoing investigation. “Police investigated the issue, but were not able to identify the offenders,” he said. “We do not have any information so we are asking people from the public to assist us.” Anyone with any information about the vandalism at the Millicent Swimming Lake is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. 3MP For all your steel, rooFing and Fencing supplies including: • Roofing and fencing materials (all Colorbond colours available) • Gutters up to 8m flashings (made to order) • Screws and fasteners • Sheds made to order Phone 8734 4394 or 0427 545 031 H The South Eastern Times, Tuesday, May 12, 2015 - 3 C 667955 • • C Y • O E O U H R E A R N E T O • S H P WIN A $1000 bank account